Hudson

September 1988

Action

1 Player

Milon's on a mission, not only to rescue the stereotypical kidnapped princess, but to become a world famous musician.  To accomplish both goals, the little elf will have to search through a vast castle, blowing bubbles at enemies, buying helpful items, and jamming with a band.  It's a fun, if sometimes obtuse, side-scrolling adventure game with a cast of cute characters.

FAST FACT:  It's revealed at the end of the first Bomberman that the hero is reincarnated as Milon.  However, Milon enjoyed far greater success in his former life as a robot... while there were many sequels to Bomberman, Milon's Secret Castle had only one, the Japanese Super Famicom exclusive Do-Re-Mi Adventure.

Mindscape

unknown

Education

1 Player

If you thought video games were challenging, just wait until you graduate from a four button controller to a monstrous eighty-eight key piano!  This cartridge makes the task of learning to play the piano a bit less daunting, using games and exercises to help you become more familiar with the keyboard that comes with the package.

FAST FACT:  The Miracle Piano System was very expensive when it was first released, originally retailing for $299.  This, coupled with a lack of interest in the product, has made it very difficult to find.  A full set, including both the cartridge and keyboard, is worth a mint to a hardcore NES collector.

Ultra

September 1990

Action

1 Player

This game is based on the short-lived television series from the late 1980's, putting a team of three characters from the show on a mission to rescue the mysterious Dr. O from kidnappers.  The heroes will have to work together to find Dr. O in this attractive overhead view action title that borrows concepts from Metal Gear, but offers more action than stealth.

Parker Bros

May 1991

Strategy

1-4 Players (alt)

This charming electronic reproduction of the Monopoly board game offers the same strong gameplay of the original, along with a handful of surprises to keep the game lively and entertaining.  The pieces hop from place to place, the chance cards are all animated, and there are voice effects announcing your release from jail.  Monopoly has never been so alive!

Konami

January 1992

Action

1-2 Players

The cliches just keep on comin' in this side-scrolling platformer that's competantly designed but tired... so very tired.  As either a puny vampire or a tiny Frankenstein, you'll punch other monsters and jump on platforms... then jump on platforms and punch other monsters.  Yeah, that's pretty much it.  What did you expect from a game based on toys nobody liked?

FAST FACT:  Pokemon was originally known as Pocket Monsters in Japan.  When the series of games was released here in the United States, they shortened the name to "Pokemon" to defuse a potential lawsuit from Morrison Entertainment Group, the creators of Monster in My Pocket.

Bandai

June 1989

Action

1 Player

This flawed but strangely endearing side-scrolling platformer is probably the weirdest game on the NES... no small feat when you consider that the system was also home to games like Chubby Cherub and Kabuki Quantum Fighter.  Anyway, you're Mark, and you'll fight everything from fried foods to animated underwear with your baseball bat and trusty gargoyle sidekick Bert.

InTV

September 1991

Racing

1-2 Players

InTV tries to reproduce the rip-snortin' action of a monster truck competition with this game, but only succeeds in annoying the player with dark, confusing isometric graphics and gameplay that's slower than a crushed car.  You may start a race on Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, but by the time you finish it'll be Thursday, Thursday, Thursday.

Matchbox/Source

January 1992

Action

1 Player

It's you against a city full of crooks in this innovative overhead view action game.  You'll scour the city streets for speeders, robbers, and the dreaded cattle rustlers, then use your police car as a blockade and turn on your sirens to arrest them.  It's a great concept, but you'll hate having to stop the game to view your map every time you want to find a criminal.